In short: puñña, merit, means good deeds and the happiness they bring. The Buddha said: "Mendicants, don't fear good deeds. For 'good deeds' is a term for happiness" (Iti 22). Traditionally, merit comes in three ways: giving, ethics and meditation.
Giving
Ethics
Meditation
Iti 22 · Making merit · Generosity · Love outshines merit
All terms · 3 minutes of practice
Questions people ask
What is merit in Buddhism?
Puñña (merit) means good deeds and their happy results. The Buddha said 'good deeds is a term for happiness' (Iti 22). Traditionally merit is made by giving, ethics and meditation.